Blair highlights ‘momentum’ on developing world
The Prime Minister, Tony Blair, has stated that the G8 Summit has ‘recognised the urgency’ of the humanitarian situation facing Ethiopia.
The Group of Eight of the world’s richest nations leaders met in the French spa of Evian on Sunday and today to discuss the humanitarian and AIDS crisis in the developing world and the progress made in Iraq
Meeting the G8 were representatives from major developing nations such as China, India, Malaysia and Mexico.
Mr Blair stated that the G8 has agreed to take major action to help developing countries face their problems. He stated that the meeting developed a ‘real sense of momentum’ to change the relationship between the developed and developing world.
The Prime Minister stated that more must be done to tackle Africa’s AIDS crisis and that Europe must match the US’ commitment towards providing AIDS treatments to African nations.
The US President George Bush had called on European leaders to match his recently announced $15 billion AIDS initiative.
The Prime Minister claimed that progress had been made in the agreement to develop an African peacekeeping force during the meeting.
On the issue of Iraq, Mr Blair denied suggestions that the public had been misled by claims of evidence about weapons of mass destruction. The Prime Minister stated that he stood by the evidence that had been presented to the British public and highlighted that two mobile research facilities had been discovered since the war had ended.
The Prime Minister called for patience in waiting for further evidence to appear.
The G8 includes Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United States and the UK.
